SOUTHWESTERN SEMINARY

Annual Report2020-2021

2

A NNUA L REP OR T

3

Prepare the way of the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. Isaiah 40:3 CSB

On the first Friday of December 2021, approximately three hundred graduates of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Texas Baptist College will be sent out to fol-low “the way of the Lord” into a world that desperately needs Christ. They will join the tens of thousands of Southwesterners who have gone before them, as sheep sent out among the wolves—those who inevitably face opposition for declaring the good news of salvation. The diverse paths these graduates will follow as they work to push back the darkness will be reflective of the unique callings God has chosen for each one. Only eternity will reveal the impact these men and women will make in Christ’s Kingdom service.

It is in light of this reality that I am pleased to present to you our Annual Report. I hope that as you read through these pages you will be encouraged by all that God did on Seminary Hill this year. The life-changing work that happens here is made possible through your generous financial support. As we close out 2021, I pray that you would be willing to help us as we contin-ue to prepare the way for the thousands of Southwesterners yet to make their way home to the Dome. Isaiah 40:3 instructs the people to prepare their hearts, knowing that Messiah is coming. I would ask that you, too, prepare your heart to support those called to follow Christ’s pathway of preparation for service. Their pathway is prepared by those who pray for every graduate and the mission fields they will serve. Their pathway is also prepared by those who support the seminary that teaches, feeds, houses, counsels, strengthens, and commissions them for their journey.

You have been so generous through the years with donations for scholarships, student aid, special events, and multiple building programs. This report is a window into all that we were able to accomplish in 2021 thanks to friends and supporters like you. My heart’s desire is that your end-of-year donations would also be available to strengthen ALL of our students. Your gift will be applied to our Southwestern Fund, which supports not just one student or one program, but the entire campus. The Southwestern Fund meets not just one need, but is available for every need that arises. Your gift to the Southwestern Fund touches every student in every class in every school on our campus and around the world.

Gifts from you and other generous friends at the close of last year helped us raise more than $1,000,000. My heart is filled with anticipation over what the Lord might accomplish be-tween now and December 31 through friends like you. Will you pray about and plan now your generous gift to help prepare the way for a future minister’s training—one who might well lead your great-grandchild one day to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ?

As always, please keep Southwestern Seminary and Texas Baptist College in your prayers. Please also respond with your generous end-of-year donation soon. Thank you in advance.

Blessings,

Adam W. Greenway President

P.S. You may respond by mail using the enclosed card and return envelope to expedite your gift. You may also respond online by giving through swbts.edu/yearend to help defray our postage costs.

A Word fromthe President

A NNUA L REP OR T

4

“I’m from the small town of Gladewater located in the best part of Texas – East Texas. I am at the end of my second year pursuing a degree in Christian Studies. I chose Texas Baptist College after seeing how much the professors here cared about the learning and spiritual development of students. After I had visited two other institutions I prayed and listened to God, then a couple weeks later I decided that TBC is the best place for me to get a biblical, Christian education. I hope to be a senior pastor in the future. I felt called to preach after spending three months doing prison ministry in Belize at one of the world’s toughest prisons. After seeing how those guys responded to the Gospel, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else other than preaching God’s Word. My favorite things about Southwestern and TBC are the many friendships, connections, and leadership roles that I have been able to be a part of. A lot of these friendships that I’ve made are going to encourage me life-long, as I get to see many of them courageously go off into a variety of different ministries to help further God’s Kingdom.”

Jordan Edwards TBC Student

S T UDEN T T E S T IMON Y

5

“The professors, chapel services, and a wide range of classes at Southwestern deepened my faith and fueled my call to missions. I grew in my understanding of the mission of God as viewed through the lens of history. Deeper insights into theology, biblical languages, and missiology underscored my calling to missions that I received as a journeyman in Scotland. Dr. Roy Fish continued to light the fire for evangelism, Drs. Justice Anderson and Daniel Sanchez deepened my understanding of the mission of God in our world today, and Dr. Jimmie Nelson helped me learn how to commu-nicate the Word of God through preaching. I’m thankful for Dr. Greenway’s leadership, and I’m proud to call the Dome my home for theological education.”

Todd Lafferty

Executive Vice President, SBC International Mission Board

Source: imb.org

A LUMNI T E S T IMON Y

6

In June, Southwestern Seminary announced Texas Baptist College as the new name of its undergraduate school along with a new vision and core values. The school was launched in 2005 as The College at Southwestern and renamed L. R. Scarborough College in 2017.

“The name Texas Baptist College encapsulates very clearly who we are and what makes us distinctive as a Christian higher education institution,” says President Adam W. Greenway.

“TEXAS: We exist in the greatest state of the union, located in the wonderful city of Fort Worth, part of the Metroplex rich in opportunities for learning, recreation, culture, and ministry.

“BAPTIST: We are unapologetic in our commitment to Baptist distinctives and to a vision of Christ-centered education that is committed to the richness of a heritage of faith that has long preceded us.

“COLLEGE: We are committed to undergraduate education delivered with the highest levels of academic excellence embedded in a graduate seminary with real-world training, giving graduates the skills to not only pursue a job, but to fulfill their vocation.”

T E X A S B A P T IS T COL L EGE

7

Vision StatementTexas Baptist College exists to glorify God by providing trustworthy Christian higher education for more faithful Kingdom service.

CORE VALUES

Christ-CenteredJesus Christ is at the center of who we are, what we believe, what we confess, what we teach, and what we seek to practice in all aspects of TBC. The totality of our Christian worldview determines our commitments and orients our perspective. As ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, we are called to be salt and light in a fallen world.

Scripture-DrivenGod’s Word is the ultimate source of truth; it tells us who God is, who we are, and how we are to live our lives. Because we start with the question, “What does Scripture say?” our foundation is secure and our path forward is clear. The Bible is one grand, ongoing story that finds its culmination in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Student-FocusedStudents are the most important people at TBC. The focus of all we do is serving students so that they may be deployed for maximum Kingdom impact in the church, marketplace, or wherever else God may call. We are a college that connects our students with other believers communally, academically, and spiritually. Texas Baptist College will become a home for our students as they make friendships that will last a lifetime.

A NNUA L REP OR T

8

The year 2021 marks an important milestone in the history of Southwestern Seminary as the 100th anniversary of both the School of Church Music and Worship and the Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries. Led by founding deans (then known as directors), Isham E. Reynolds and John M. Price, the schools are pacesetters in the world of theological education with a rich history of faculty and alumni who have made eternity-impacting contributions to the academy and for the Gospel. The schools originally began in 1915 as departments of the seminary and gained school status in 1921. Today, the School of Church Music and Worship and the Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries continue the legacy of preparing God-called men and women for Christian service with new academic programs to meet the needs of churches and ministries.

To celebrate this milestone, commemorative booklets were published featuring timelines tracing the history of both schools with biographical vignettes of key faculty members over the past 100 years. The timelines are available on the seminary’s website: swbts.edu/scmw100 and swbts.edu/terry100, where alumni of the schools are also invited to offer reflections of their time on Seminary Hill and how the schools have shaped their ministries.

CELEBRATING100 YEARS

10 0 Y E A R S

9

“Under the policy of the Seminary to instruct pastors on congregational singing and to train professional evangelistic singers, Professor Isham E. Reynolds has been elected Music Director. One course in music will be required of all students in the Seminary and Training School in addition to the present requirements for degrees.”

– The Cross and The Lyre, p. 3

“I wish you to see the whole situation and appreciate the enormity of the proposition and the largeness of the opportunity which I offer to you in asking you to become a member of our faculty and to give your life to the up-building of this institution. … It is now our purpose to establish a school of Christian pedagogy as a department of this seminary…”

– L. R. Scarborough to J. M. Price, March 12, 1915

A LU M N I T E S T I M O N YA NNUA L REP OR T

10

The Southwestern Fund

Total giving for 2020–2021:$1,832,189.19

Here are examples of the myriad of essential functions around the campus that are made possible by donations to the Southwestern Fund.

COVID-19 MITIGATIONHand-sanitizer stations and digital thermometers were purchased, and cleaning crews were employed to provide daily sanitization of campus facilities to mitigate the coronavirus during the height of the pandemic.

FAMILY SUPPORTIn addition to providing first-class theological education, Southwestern Seminary hosts events and activities to support students and their families while studying on Seminary Hill.

UTILITIESEssential utility needs of the campus, including electrical power, which permitted the seminary to serve as emergency housing for some students, faculty, staff, and neighbors during the February ice storm that knocked out power for large portions of North Texas.

CAMPUS SAFETYSouthwestern Seminary employs a professional Police department charged with campus safety. SWBTS Police cruisers, equipment, and headquarters received an upgrade in 2021. Additionally, streetlights on campus have been upgraded.

SOU T HWE S T ERN FUND

11

RENOVATIONSignificant renovation projects have addressed deferred maintenance needs in 2021, including office relocations and renovation of spaces throughout the B. H. Carroll Memorial Building, new signage, and other campus improvements.

TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTThe demands of staying current in technology require regular upgrades to computer equipment, systems, and software for classrooms and administration.

STUDENT HOUSINGThe operation and maintenance for 630 housing units on campus.

Every dollar given to the Southwestern Fund is a dollar we don’t have to

charge in tuition.

A NNUA L REP OR T

The Southwestern Fund pays for essential and strategic priorities, which undergird the seminary in fulfilling its mission to train the next generation of God-called men and women for more faithful service.

12

The faculties of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Texas Baptist College have been strengthened even more by the addition of 17 new faculty members announced in the past year.

New Faculty

Amy L. CriderAssociate Professor of Foundations of Education, Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries

R. Adam DoddAssistant Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Backgrounds, School of Theology

M. Todd BatesProfessor of Philosophy and Associate Dean, Texas Baptist College

Coleman M. FordAssistant Professor of Christian Formation, Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries

Ian B. BuntainAssociate Professor of Missions and Director of the World Missions Center, Roy J. Fish School of Evangelism and Missions

J. Scott DuvallSenior Professor of New Testament, School of Theology

Jon DuncanSenior Professor of Church Music and Worship, School of Church Music and Worship

Ashley L. AllenAssistant Professor of Women’s Ministries, Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries

NE W FAC ULT Y

13

Benjamin M. SkaugDean and Associate Professor of Theology, Texas Baptist College

Rebekah A. NaylorDistinguished Professor of Missions, Roy J. Fish School of Evangelism and Missions

Blake McKinneyAssistant Professor of History, Texas Baptist College

Joshua M. PhilpotAssistant Professor of Biblical Studies, Texas Baptist College

Justin WainscottAssistant Professor of Christian Ministry and Director of Discipleship and Campus Ministries, Texas Baptist College

J. Daniel HaysSenior Professor of Old Testament, School of Theology

Jonathan OkinagaAssistant Professor of Biblical Counseling, Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries

Jacob ShatzerAssociate Professor of Christian Ethics, School of Theology

Travis H. TrawickAssistant Professor of Theology, School of Theology; Associate Provost

A NNUA L REP OR T

14

After COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the May 2020 commencement for the first time in the long and storied history of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, the institution celebrated 638 graduates from May and December during fall commencement exercises on Dec. 4, 2020. On May 7, 2021, another 294 graduates were honored during spring commencement. Both ceremonies were held in MacGorman Chapel under varying levels of restrictions due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“We come together because we celebrate not just the degrees that have been earned and the diplomas that will be presented, but because sitting before us is the hope that the church of the Lord Jesus Christ will have a more faithful ministry because of, literally, the hundreds of years of combined consecrated study and preparation that has been invested,” said President Adam W. Greenway during spring 2021 commencement.

This year’s graduates join the throng of more than 46,000 Southwesterners who have been commissioned to serve the churches, other ministries, and on the mission field across the world.

GR A DUAT ION

Graduation

15

DIS T INGUISHED A LUMNI

Distinguished AlumniA capacity crowd of 700 gathered in Nashville, Tennessee, during the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s Alumni and Friends Luncheon at the Southern Baptist Convention to honor three distinguished alumni: Roy J. Fish, D. Hance Dilbeck Jr., and Thomas J. Nettles.

“One of the highest honors our seminary can bestow upon one of our own is to name that person a distinguished alumnus,” President Adam W. Greenway said.

Roy FishFish, who died in 2012 at age 82, served as professor of evangelism at Southwestern nearly 50 years. A former occupant of the L.R. Scarborough Chair of Evangelism (“the Chair of Fire”), he imparted a passion for evangelism to thousands of students while his name became synonymous with evangelism in the Southern Baptist Convention. The seminary honored Fish in 2005 by naming its evangelism and missions school for him. As a Southwestern student, Fish earned Bachelor of Divinity and Doctor of Theology degrees in 1957 and 1963, respectively. As a faculty member, he organized the annual Spring Break Revival Practicum (now called Reach This Nation) for many years, sending out hundreds of students to preach revivals in local churches across the country.

Several generations of the Fish family, including his wife of more than 50 years, Jean (photo above), received the award, with son Steve offering remarks of appreciation for the family.

D. Hance DilbeckDilbeck, president-elect of GuideStone Financial Resources, earned Master of Divinity (192) and Doctor of Ministry (102) degrees from the seminary. Dilbeck, who has previously served the seminary as a former chairman of the board of trustees, also served as the executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and pastored churches for 27 years in Oklahoma. He also has served as an adjunct professor of preaching at Southwestern and Oklahoma Baptist University.

The Dilbecks received Southwestern’s L.R. Scarborough Award in 2018 in recognition of their work in cultivating financial support for the seminary. The couple has three grown sons and eight grandchildren.

Tom NettlesNettles taught in Southwestern’s church history department from 1976 to 1982 after earning Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the seminary in 1971 and 1976, respectively. Nettles returned to Southwestern as a visiting professor of historical theology in December 2020, teaching a course on the doctrine of the Bible. Nettles taught church history and historical theology at three seminaries after leaving Southwestern, including Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Nettles co-authored Baptists and the Bible with L. Russ Bush in 1980, a 40th anniversary edition of which was released in 2020 by Seminary Hill Press. The book proved Baptists’ historical commitment to inerrancy of Scripture.

Nettles was unable to attend the ceremony due to the unexpected illness of his wife, Margaret. The Nettles’ son, Joe, accepted the award on his father’s behalf and Bill Ascol, one of Nettles’ first students at Southwestern Seminary, read remarks Nettles provided. Tom Ascol, Bill’s brother and also a Southwestern Seminary graduate, led the crowd in praying for Margaret.

16

“I am in the Master of Divinity program with a missions concentration from Sugar Land, Texas, and I am a recent Texas A&M graduate. I chose Southwestern Seminary because the Lord called me to seminary during my freshman year of college at Texas A&M. After that, He used my pastor from the church I grew up at to encourage me to attend SWBTS. Through much prayer and the faithfulness of the Lord, I knew I was going to attend Southwestern Seminary during my sophomore year of college. Between the years of completing my bachelor’s degree and coming here, SWBTS was a long-awaited treasure to come from the Lord in my life. I loved the degree programs offered here, and I knew that the Lord was calling me to study His Word in an academic setting. I also have a deep love for discipleship that teaches my younger sisters in Christ what it means to follow Christ because He is so abundantly worthy of our worship.”

S T UDEN T T E S T IMON Y

Laura Pepper MDiv Student

17

“Coming to Southwestern was the obvious choice. First, the school’s emphasis on scriptural fidelity and passion for evangelism drew me to campus. Then, I saw the professors’ desire to see God glorified and their regard for their students. Ultimately, I felt the Lord’s presence, and I knew this was where I needed to be. My time at Southwestern was life-changing, to say the least. I learned a great deal in class and through the many examples of those faithfully serving the Lord. My education has proven invaluable for ministry, and I would not change anything about the time I spent at Southwestern.”

A LUMNI T E S T IMON Y

Anthony Svajda

Senior Pastor, Harvey Baptist Church Stephenville, Texas,

MDiv, 2013; PhD, 2018

18

Giving and Enrollment

Enrollment for 2020–2021

A Capital - 21.3%

B Undesignated Funds - 36.0%

C Endowments - 17.7%

D Financial Aid - 25.0%

A

B C

D

1,382Donors

5,190Gifts

$8,909,348.54Total Given

18.71%%Endowment Increase

GI V ING A ND ENROL L MEN T

A Certificate: 93 - 2.52%

B Undergraduate: 723 - 12.33%

C Graduate: 2420 - 65.56%

D Doctoral: 455 - 19.59%

Fall 2021 New Students

A Certificate: 23 - 4.41%

B Undergraduate: 76 - 14.59%

C Graduate: 387 - 74.28%

D Doctoral: 35 - 6.72%

AB

C

DAB

C

D

Total: 3691 - 100% Total: 521 - 100%

19

Preparing Future LeadersSouthwestern Seminary has commissioned more than 46,000 graduates to serve in local churches and global mission fields. As you think about your year-end giving, consider a gift to the Southwestern Fund to help us continue preparing church and ministry leaders. These are tomorrow’s leaders who will touch the lives of your children and grandchildren, impacting the world for generations.

Mail your gift to:Southwestern Baptist Theological SeminaryOffice of Institutional AdvancementPO Box 22500Fort Worth, TX 76122-0500

How to Give:• Outright gift of cash or other assets (i.e stock)• IRA Charitable Rollover• Donor Advised Fund• Planned gift

Give securely online at:swbts.edu/yearend

For more info on how to give, visit swbts.plannedgiving.org

OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENTPO BOX 22500, FORT WORTH, TX 76122